Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Tuesday 02 February [Ukrainian sources]

TUESDAY

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News -
56 attacks by the Russians on Ukraine yesterday. More and more again from Putin and his terrorists.
Update - two soldiers wounded.

Weather -
Zero now at 0700, but should warm up to +7.
More normal would be -8 now, and -1 during the day. That's how warm it is at the moment in February!

Aidar volunteer -
Told me that the "released" figures of casualties do not represent the true figure. The real figure is higher.
He suggested that people were being - as he put it - "crossed off the list" every day.
He also talked quite a bit about Aidar - formed from people who survived Maidan - volunteers.
Unfortunately their batallion leader turned out to be passing lots of information on to the Russians - allegedly.
He has now been moved to another post, supposedly.
The volunteer also confirmed that large amounts of money were being made from the war, and that many many people simply do NOT have any interest in stopping the war. If you control a border point, and are making one million hrvynia every six months, then - you want to keep that business going.
As for the Rada, politics, he quoted Shakespeare - "all the world's a stage".... except he called it all "theatre", to quote him exactly.
He described all of the politicians, and I asked specifically about Samopomich, as playing roles. Like a game.
He was very quietly spoken, and said little. But what he did say was very intelligent. I also realise now that he was behind a recent corruption bust that I posted about maybe two weeks' ago. So he is doing good work now, even though not on the frontline.
He also said that many many volunteers had now left Aidar.

02 лютого 2016, 0714
http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/news/27526864.html
For the past day militants carried out 56 attacks ATO lines of defense forces with different weapons - Staff
The press center of ATO on Tuesday reported that over the past day, February 1, pro fighters in the Donbass 56 attacks committed lines of defense forces ATO with different weapons. This is stated in the press center page on Facebook.
"Again strenuous situation was far Gorlovka Donetsk and in the suburbs. The enemy grenade used different systems and heavy machine guns on our strong points in the Opitnoe, Avdeevka, Mar'yintsi and mine Butovka. Near Pisky also led enemy fire from mortars, "- said in a statement.
According to the headquarters, against bases forces ATO the militants also fired six times Zaitsev and Mayorsku mortars banned under Minsk agreements.

http://kriminal.tv/news/u_rossijan_kotorye_vojujut_na_donbasse_voznikli_sereznye_problemyr.html
7:30
February 2, 2016 at 07:30
The so-called Union of Donbass volunteers who cares about the Russians, who fought against Ukraine at the Donbass, state that those killed among them several thousand. Yes, in the registry appear SDD is 200 dead and 300 wounded, but it has only recently started to be drawn up. +
These people, who shed their blood on the territory of a neighboring state, now complain that in Russia they have a lot of problems. Even on the job do not want to take. Plus they want to give them the status of combatants ...
====
Even when they are dead, there is no recognition.

http://espreso.tv/news/2016/02/02/polska_naftogazova_kompaniya_podala_pozov_proty_quotgazpromuquot
Polish gas company PGNiG has submitted to the Stockholm arbitration claim against OAO "Gazprom" and OOO "Gazprom export" regarding price changes on the conditions of long-term contract to buy gas...
===
Yesterday it was an Italian company, today a Polish one... Gazprom has problems.
Currently no real details due to "confidential arbitration".

7:41
http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/francuzkiy-kanal-pokazav-antiukrayinskiy-film-nezvazhayuchi-na-prohannya-posolstva-582830.html

On Monday, February 1, despite Ukraine's request to remove the tape from the air, the French Canal + showed a film about euromaidan "Ukraine, masks Revolution" director Paul Moreira. Note that the embassy of Ukraine in France asked the French TV channel Canal + broadcast abolish anti-Ukrainian film. See also: "Babylon 13" introduced the trailer for the new film of Independence The embassy noted that this film gives the viewer a false picture of the situation in Ukraine and the author 'using primitive methods of journalistic manipulation, including an appeal with the comments of respondents in translation distorted and fabricated facts. " "Version Moreira on developments in Ukraine, including the illegal annexation of the Crimea - music to the ears of supporters of conspiracy theories and pro-Russian propagandists. It makes movie pamphlet in the worst tradition of misinformation," - said the embassy. In a letter to Ukrainian diplomats management Canal + said that attempts to explain events in Ukraine as an operation financed by the United States is "disrespect for our fellow citizens and killed in downtown Kyiv during the defense of democratic aspirations of the country." Recall that in the European Union capital Brussels held a festival of Ukrainian cinema. "Freedom Oleg Sentsov" - this slogan began every Ukrainian Films..

===
Boycott Canal +, maybe French goods too. Getting close to Putin again.

7:58
http://24tv.ua/na_krislo_yatsenyuka_pretenduye_sadoviy_i_timoshenko__bereza_n654133?utm_source=ukrnet&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=ukrnetvideo
Online translation not too clear !!! -
On claims Garden chair Yatsenyuk and Tymoshenko - Birch (Channel 24)
)))
===
Independent MPs Borislav Berioza said that, apart from prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leaders with ambitions for his position include "Samopomich" Andriy Sadovy and head of the "Batkivshina" Yulia Tymoshenko.
When talking about the three candidates for prime minister, then according to Berioza, can apply again Yatsenyuk.
It can also be Julia, who does not hide his ambitions as prime minister. More Andriy Sadovy, who also is sometimes shows
- Said the deputy....

http://www.unian.info/politics/1252356-poroshenko-merkel-agree-on-normandy-foreign-ministers-meeting-in-paris-next-week.html
====
They should hold the meeting further east. Maybe Berlin, or Brussels. Less far for everybody to travel overall.

http://www.unian.info/politics/1252389-poroshenko-bloc-names-possible-candidates-for-new-government.html
===
Personally I think it is mad changing ministers at this point in time. People need to get settled in their jobs.
But such is Ukrainian politics - and populism. Famous for a day - like Liashko. Now - he is finished.

German political analyst, an expert on Russia at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), Stefan Meister believes that, in the opinion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the lifting of sanctions against Russia depends on one person - from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"According to Putin, the main problem - Merkel. If it loses power due to migration crisis in the EU supposedly not remain obstacles to the lifting of sanctions ", - the expert said, quoted by Reuters.

Now the Russian authorities are trying to prevent a further extension of economic sanctions, which expire in July. According to the German Government, the calculation of Moscow is that the more weakened position of Merkel in the EU due to the migration policy of Germany, the Russian Federation more likely achieve its goal, says Reuters.

Political scientist Meister believes that the hands of the Kremlin political processes play a part in Germany. According to him, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) had hoped that after a relative normalization of Ukraine can return to a more active contacts with Russia. Vice-Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and the head of the SPD, Sigmar Gabriel, Putin has already made a number of related "proposals" during a private visit to Moscow in October 2015. In addition, especially in the Russian capital are waiting for the main criticism of the immigration policy Merkel - the prime minister and the head of the Bavarian Christian Social Union, Horst Seehofer.

The behavior of the Russian authorities Meister sees strategy that is systematically undermining the credibility of German democracy and the "ability to Merkel to act" in a refugee crisis. This opinion is shared and Judy Dempsey of Carnegie Center in Brussels. In her opinion, the Russian Federation is now trying to influence the Russian-speaking diaspora in Germany in the same way as has long been trying to influence the Russian-speaking minority in the Baltic countries.

The politician Roder Kizvetter as Meister and political scientist, sees Moscow's behavior as domestic political motives. According to him, the media in Russia, pumping among Russians fear the influx of migrants in Germany and Europe, also want to convince the public that, despite the economic crisis, Putin keeps everything under control. "The more the crisis in Russia, the more Russia's power distracts people from domestic problems. It reveals the inner weakness of the Russian Federation ", - adds Kizvetter.

glavcom.ua In Russian

Russian President Vladimir Putin provocation in violation of Turkish airspace actually go to war with the country-member of NATO. This was reported in an article for the apostrophe Russian journalist and blogger Alexander centurion.

"There is no doubt that a provocation involving Russian military aircraft continue, and one day Turkey will bring down one side. Or two, that will not have values: Moscow Ankara immediately declared war "- he commented recent Russian invasion aircraft in Turkish airspace.

"After all, only it (the war. - Ed.) Can explain the reasons for the deterioration of public life in Russia. Under the roar of cannon fire and it's best to declare a state of war, finally "tightening the political screws" and announcing the hunt for opponents of the regime. Kadyrov's arrows are already looking at the opposition through the sights of sniper rifles, and they only need a distinct team to press the trigger. So the security officers do not just go away. They have popyut the blood of its own people, do not forget to pull the nerves to the West through the clash with Turkey ", - said the centurion.

glavcom.ua In Russian

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, in his Instagram wrote that his position in the social network has been deleted. "As soon as I say a few words about the US chain hounds as they immediately removed the post. Here it is, the vaunted freedom of speech is the American way. You can write anything you want, but do not touch the dogs of America, "- he said.

Recall that on Monday night in Instagram head of Chechnya was published a video where in sight moved Parnassus Chairman Mikhail Kasyanov and his deputy Vladimir Kara-Murza. Text reads: "Whoever does not understand, he will understand."

Kasyanov considers the publication of a threat to kill. Later video was removed from the social network due to violation of its rules.

glavcom.ua In Russian

http://euromaidanpress.com/2016/01/30/odious-stalinist-homophobe-and-terrorist-reiterates-russian-propaganda-for-french-documentary/#arvlbdata
A notorious homophobic Stalinist who has allied with neo-Nazi groups and had joined a terrorist brigade in Donbas stars in the French documentary “Ukraine. Masks of the Revolution” by Paul Moreira. By reiterating baseless Russian propaganda about Ukrainian fascists holding a “massacre” of pro-Russians in Odesa’s Trade Union building, the film not only misleads French audiences about events in Odesa and Ukraine, but also omits important details about the speaker’s biography...
he publicly called for Russian troops to enter Odesa.....
=====
It is bizarre that these "communist" leaders end up showing themselves to be extreme right-wing. Rather like Seamus Milne, sidekick of British opposition leader, Corbyn, supporting Putin.
The fascist saying that Ukraine has been taken over by fascists.

11:23
http://hvylya.net/news/exclusive/lutsenko-somnevaetsya-chto-nyineshniy-parlament-otrabotaet-vsyu-kadentsiyu.html
....
"People do not care from which party members of the coalition take the country through the black tunnel; other countries have carried out similar reforms, lasting two to five years. We have to go through the worst time. Yes, people want the election to pour all his negative on the politicians. But today there is no answer to the problem. ...
===
I agree. Re-structuring a post Soviet economy whilst carrying on a war against Russia was never going to be an easy job.
And there are always those wishing to take advantage of the situation. Notably, in my opinion, Liashko (nutcase), and Tymoshenko (very rich nutcase).

I just switched on the tv. Rada tv, 112 - big, overweight people, in suits, smiling and chatting to one another, oblivious to what is going on around them.
Yes - the Ukrainian parliament is in session currently. Now near noon.

11:37
http://socportal.info/2016/02/02/u-karpatah-mozhlive-spontanne-shodzhennya-lavin.html
===
Temperature near zero, apparently. Where I am, closer to Kiev, +5. That is warm for February 02, Catholic Candlemas.

Today's hryvnia rate is easy to remember -
25.5 and 36.6 for the dollar and pound respectively.
Hryvnia for one dollar /  one euro /  one pound
Inverse:   25.5496   27.8883   36.6955

The ruble, however, has been falling again, back towards the 80 mark.
Inverse: 79.2104 86.4609 113.765

from www.xe.com a few minutes ago

One might have guessed - oil is falling again - and natural gas is now at a very low price -

Crude Oil & Natural Gas
INDEX UNITS PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE CONTRACT TIME ET 2 DAY
WTI Crude Oil (Nymex)
USD/bbl. 30.97 -0.65 -2.06% MAR 16 04:32:12
Brent Crude (ICE)
USD/bbl. 33.65 -0.59 -1.72% APR 16 04:32:00
Natural Gas (Nymex)
USD/MMBtu 2.11 -0.04 -1.81% MAR 16 04:31:01
www.bloomberg.com/energy/

http://zik.ua/en/news/2016/02/01/ukraine_starts_exports_of_dairy_products_to_china_668234

Late 2015, Ukrainian companies began exporting dairy products to China, Agriculture Minister Olexy Pavlenko announced Feb. 1.

“In December, 2015, four Ukrainian companies were given veterinary certificates and two more companies received their certificates in Jan. 2016.

Ukraine and China authorities did a lot of work to pave the way for Ukrainian dairy goods to China, the minister said.

“China’s dairy goods markets have a great potential. And we are proud that the Chinese authorities gave Ukrainian goods such a high grade.

The expansion of China’s markets for Ukraine will continue,” the minister said.

===
Good news. The Russian market is closed. So - why not China? Or the EU?

http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-ukrayini-ta-federalnij-kancler-nimechchini-obgovor-36691
....The President emphasized the necessity of full ceasefire, restoration of Ukrainian control over the border, withdrawal of Russian troops and liberation of all hostages.
The negotiations were also joined by Special Envoy of the French President Jacques Audibert.
The parties agreed that the next meeting in the Normandy format at the level of Foreign Ministers will be held in Paris the following week.
In addition, Petro Poroshenko and Angela Merkel coordinated actions on establishing the visa-free regime for Ukrainians. The Chancellor agreed with the necessity of immediate adoption of the rest of the visa-free laws by the Ukrainian Parliament.

http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/02/2/7097583/
Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 12:42
One day in the zone of the antiterrorist operation wounds suffered two soldiers.
This at a traditional briefing on Tuesday said a spokesman for the presidential administration Alexander Motuzyanyk ATO.
"During the last day of hostilities, no Ukrainian military was killed, but two of our soldiers were wounded," - he said.
According to the colonel, they happened in the area Zaitsev ( grenade launcher RPG) and Pischevyk (gunshot wound).

Nelson wrote:

Unfortunately their battalion leader turned out to be passing lots of information on to the Russians - allegedly.
He has now been moved to another post, supposedly.

In any country, this man's action would be considered TREASON. Why, therefore, has he been given another post?

I would take the statement with a very, very large pinch of salt and a lump of peppered salo.

There is no OSCE reaction to intensified firing by the rebels in Zajtseve and other areas of Donbas, the army said Feb. 2.

“The fire by the rebels against Ukraine army positions in Zajtseve has intensified over the past several days. The enemy uses grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns, 82-mm and 120-mm mortars banned by the Minsk agreements,” the army says.

Not to endanger the civilians, the army was forced to close a border checkpoint in Zajtseve.

“We must admit that the OSCE has shown no reaction to our memorandums to it. By showing such response, the OSCE encourages the rebels to step up the shelling and escalate the conflict in Donbas,” the army said.

zik.ua

The United States supports the efforts of Germany as the chair of the OSCE to be more involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Permanent Representative of the United States to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Ambassador Daniel Baer said in a commentary to Ukrinform correspondent in Germany, Censor.NET reports.

"Given the fact that the number of international monitors of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission will soon reach 800, and taking into account new technical capabilities and advanced operational bases, the OSCE SMM will enhance its ability to monitor the situation and report on it," the Ambassador said.

Baer admits that the Mission is not able to end the conflict but it can promote cease-fire and constructive steps in other areas.

"We, the United States, want to support Germany as the chair of the OSCE and as the part of the Normandy format in the issue of using the OSCE to promote the diplomatic and political efforts to implement the Minsk Agreements," the diplomat said.

According to Baer, 2016 should become the year of full implementation of the Minsk Agreements. It should also become the year of constitutional reform, withdrawal of Russian troops and weapons, normalization of the security situation, and restoration of border control.

censor.net.ua In Russian

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use Moscow's influence with separatists in eastern Ukraine to help secure progress toward a political solution of the crisis.

Merkel's office said the two leaders spoke by phone on February 2 at Putin's request.

The call came one day after Merkel met Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Berlin and nearly one year after Germany and France helped to broker the Minsk peace deal for Ukraine.

Merkel said the security situation in eastern Ukraine must be improved, a cease-fire observed, and international observers given unrestricted access to the conflict zone to enable further progress.

Merkel said on February 1 that she doesn't see grounds for lifting economic sanctions against Russia at the current time........

rferl.org

Performance agreements Minsk impossible and even detrimental to Ukraine - US expert

Minsk process remains the only way of resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. And while all points of the agreement are not met - Russia will remain under sanctions. This was during a meeting in Berlin with Petro Poroshenko declared Angela Merkel.

German Chancellor pointed to the deteriorating situation in the east of Ukraine and noted that only after a lasting and sustainable ceasefire can be fulfilled all other conditions of the Minsk agreement. So no question of lifting sanctions from Russia and can not be.

"It is important that we came to a long-term ceasefire. We almost came to him but were pushed back. We expect that the OSCE observers will have access to the entire territory of eastern Ukraine, including the border. We should extend sanctions as provided Minsk transactions were not made ", - said Angela Merkel.

According to Poroshenko, across the border to the east of Ukraine continues to move heavy military equipment, militants continue to fire Ukrainian position prisoners not only fired, but also capture new ones.....................



To read further go to this link:  radiosvoboda.org

radiosvoboda.org   In Ukrainian

A total of 139 monuments of the Communist totalitarian regime leaders have been dismantled in Ukraine, according to the 2015 report of the Cabinet of Ministers submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, approved on February 1, 2016.

"Forty monuments to Lenin lost their status of monuments; 139 monuments of the Communist totalitarian regime leaders have been dismantled (order of the Ministry of Culture of November 26, 2015)," the document says.

The report also notes that new approaches to the celebration of historical events and honoring the fighters against Nazism have been laid down.

unian.info

“For the first time in Ukraine history, all its judges are to be screened for corruption.

Feb. 2, Rada took an important step to build an independent judiciary system by passing in the first reading the changes in the Constitution,” Pres Poroshenko writes in Facebook.

The changes will allow to lift the immunity of judges, impose independent testing and screening to reset the judicial system, Poroshenko says.

zik.ua

176 people have died and 3.2 million patients have become ill due to the flu and acute respiratory infections since the epidemic season started on September 28, 2015, Ukrainian health ministry officials say. That constitutes to 8.3% of the entire population.

It is also reported that 62.8% of the infected are children under 17 years, Ukrainian news portal TSN writes. The highest sickness rate was found in Kyiv (+14%) and lowest in Kharkiv region (3.6%)




uatoday.tv

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